The NU:BC Collective

Described in the Vancouver Sun as “a dream gift… One of the best additions to local new music circles”, The Nu:BC Collective brings together the formidable talents of flutist Paolo Bortolussi, cellist Eric Wilson and pianist Corey Hamm, joined frequently by eminent artists as violinist Jasper Wood, violist David Harding, and clarinetists François Houle and Cris Inguanti. An ensemble-in-residence at the University of British Columbia, Nu:BC has presented dozens of critically acclaimed concerts featuring repertoire by exciting and influential contemporary composers from Canada and abroad.

From its inception in 2005, the Nu:BC Collective has striven to bring new music to audiences with an emphasis on collaboration and innovative approaches to concert programming. Incorporating technology and interdisciplinary collaboration has been a focus of the Collective, resulting in works pairing music with dance, interactive video and computer, as well as theatrical elements. Collaborations have included performances with dancer and choreographer Emily Molnar, media artist Jamie Griffiths, interactive electronic music pioneers Keith Hamel and Robert Pritchard, as well as commissioned works for the combination of the Nu:BC Collective with the British Columbia Chinese Music Ensemble.

Nu:BC has conducted master-classes and given concerts at the The University of California (Davis), Cal State Fresno, the Universities of Calgary, Alberta (Edmonton), Western Washington, Illinois at Chicago, Roosevelt University, Wilfred Laurier University, the Music on Main series in Vancouver, the Music Gallery in Toronto, and the Washington Composers Forum in Seattle. The Nu:BC Collective was also ensemble-in-residence with ProMusica’s Sonic Boom Festival, work-shopping and premiering dozens of new works by BC composers.

The 2013/14 season featured a gala concert at the Chan Centre partnering with the Turning Point Ensemble and Musica Intima, launching a new music series entitled “Radius at the Telus Studio Theatre”. Included was the world premiere of “No Need” by Michael Oesterle, for Nu:BC and Music Intima. In 2014, Nu:BC released its first CD Beyond Shadows – “a marvelous exploration of compelling contemporary music” (Fanfare May/June 2015), “varied, highly entertaining music” (Grammophone magazine, March, 2015) – which features works by Dorothy Chang, Chris Paul Harman, Marc Mellits, and Brian Cherney. Other recent projects include the premiere of newly commissioned works by Brian Cherney, Chris Paul Harman, Scott Godin, Gabriel Dharmoo, Taylor Brook, Edward Top, Gabriel Dharmoo, Keith Hamel, and Robert Pritchard.

Nu:BC continues to work with composers and presenters to push boundaries, and captivate audiences with compelling music and interdisciplinary collaborations. Looking ahead, Nu:BC is excited to be working with outstanding composers including Dorothy Chang, James Maxwell, Ana Sokolovic, and many more.